Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Johnn]

That is just too cute. One of these needs to be recommended for the picture of the week thing.

Thanks!

 

[Johnn]

I don't think its as good as my other one though:

 

[CarolinaHen]

I love seeing the mamas with babies on their backs!

 

[chickydee64]

I recently hatched bantam eggs in jan. 2 turned out roosters, they started crowing so we gave them away, i cracked an egg for breakfast and their was a chick forming in the egg! I freiked, candled what was in the nest( i have a broody silkie that has been sitting on any egg in her box) one was fertile with the veins, so i put it back. Since they can lay fertile eggs for up to 10 days, should i incubate the late ones or let them add to her nest? Shes already on 6 of them. I,m going to mark the ones that are there now, so i can distinguish between the new ones. The fertile one i saw looked like it was on day 4-7?first time letting the silkie incubate, she was given to us because she was broody and not laying, i didn,t care cause shes so sweet! Any help would be appreciated, i wish i didn,t give my roosters away now, i didn,t see any mating and was hassled by their crowing....we aren,t allowed to have roosters or chickens as a matter of fact. I feel we should be allowed to have 4-6 egglayers without the law saying NO!

Hi,
Another thought would be to let her incubate all of them......as long as she can cover them comfortably..............
and pull the extra eggs she does not hatch after the chicks start to hatch. Then put those in the incubator. I have one hen hat will continue to hatch and care for her chicks
for about 5 days.............but some quit setting after a few chicks are out to take care of them.
Hope I made sense.working on my first cup of coffee..................

Good Luck

 

[Johnn]

I love seeing the mamas with babies on their backs!

So do I! Daisy wouldnt let it up at first, it used to just jump up at her when she was walking, but I dont think she minds now that its happened!

 

[3 NH reds]

My wife went to our Jersey Giant coop to get an egg. I warned her that the broody Jersey would peck her hand if she got close. She was on the nest being so quiet my wife wondered if she had died. She put her hand near her head and bap! she got pecked but no blood. Broody birds sure do look like they are in hibernation or something like that

 

[chickydee64]

My wife went to our Jersey Giant coop to get an egg. I warned her that the broody Jersey would peck her hand if she got close. She was on the nest being so quiet my wife wondered if she had died. She put her hand near her head and bap! she got pecked but no blood. Broody birds sure do look like they are in hibernation or something like that

Or stoned to the max.....maybe hypnotized..............

Glad your wife made it out with her fingers.........

 

[miss silky]

I recently got rid of my rooster hatchers and realized that the eggs being laid are fertile! My silkie has been broody and i think their laying them in her nest unpurpose. She would be such a good mama, but she almost 7 ,now and doesn,t lay frequently at all. Well my question is, should i leave all the eggs under her for the last 3 days of the 3 weeks or will the late comers not hatch? Should i incubate the last ones? It,s been a period of a week of laying one a day. I candeled a few last night to mark em and they all have heartbeats! I didn,t want to disturb her or nest and kill em. I only have 4 hens in that cage, and they respect the older miss silky, so i,m leaving her rather than seperating her and the orphans, (soon to be, i hope!) anyone have any suggestions?please?

 

[chickydee64]

Today is the day.....................

Nothing yet but I have faith in my broody.....
15 eggs.9 buff orpington, 6 SS

 

[chickydee64]

John,
I f I had to choose one picture that you have posted of your Buffs..............
I think it might be when Bella headed for the hills with her adopted chicks to avoid
treatment for her foot................

You can just read her mind...............